Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums (one of which also contains never-before released material), three EPs, and one box set. Although their first two albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin' the Hood (1994)—were quite popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only No. 1 hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about ten million in the U.S. alone. Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to several Sublime songs.
Following Sublime's dissolution, former members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars in 1997, which also included many frequent Sublime contributors such as Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (former member of The Ziggens), Marshall Goodman "Ras MG" (former Sublime member), and Todd Forman (3rd Alley). LBDAS disbanded in 2002, due to several members of the band breaking a no-drug vow they had taken. In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a young guitarist and admitted Sublime fan from California. However, not long after performing at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name as they needed permission from Nowell's estate, which owns the rights to the Sublime name. This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez to change their name to Sublime with Rome, which has since released three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debut Yours Truly.
With the mainstream success of their self-titled album, going five times platinum and earning worldwide airplay, Sublime's influence persists to this day. Sublime was one of the most popular bands of the third wave of ska, specifically characterized as ska punk. Sublime often combined punk rock and hardcore punk with hip hop, heavy metal, dancehall, reggae, ska, funk, and (21st century) surf music. Sublime also has been described as 'reggae rock'.
Their signature sound and their songs are often associated with the beach and coastal areas of Southern California, such as San Diego, Orange County, Venice Beach and Long Beach as well as areas of Northern California like Eureka. Over two decades after Nowell's death and the band's breakup, Sublime remains immensely popular throughout North America, especially in its state of origin, California.
Sublime's songs have been featured via soundtrack in a variety of media. Los Angeles alternative rock radio station KROQ has listed Sublime at No. 3 in their annual "Top 106.7 biggest KROQ bands of all time" list for the past six years in a row, behind Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, and No. 81 at the "Top 166 Artists of 1980–2008" list.
With over 17 million units sold worldwide, Sublime is one of the most successful, and "powerfully moving" ska-punk acts of all time influencing many modern reggae and ska acts.
Don't Push
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chased out with a knife
With a face like Bob Marley
And a mouth like a motorbike
Oh well the bars are always open
And the time is always right
And if God's good word goes unspoken
The music goes all night
And it goes
On the beach on blanket mommy I am the one
Buddy bye good lovin' give me lots of good fun
Buddy bye on beach break it and all night long
They kickin' on the court listenin' to the reggae song
Me say a beach blanket wicked and wild
My beach blanket she's such a nature's child
Stolen a shotgun you know what I'd do
I'd point it straight up at the sky
And shoot heaven on down for you
Because the bars are always open
And the time is always right
And if God's good word goes unspoken
The music goes all night
It says
Me do not want no lover me don't want no lover hey hey
Me don't want no lover me don't want no lover springtime
Here no lover me don't want no lover hey
Me don't want no lover me don't want no lover hey
Second street
Where it's at
Walkin' downtown you're strapped with a gat ey
Lifetime it's free
Anytime just call me
438-4836
This a kind of number make you get your kicks
Buddy bye
I love love love love love
No no no no no no no no no
There's a steel train
The lyrics of Sublime's song Don't Push address themes of displacement and oppression. The first verse specifically references the African slave trade and the violence inflicted upon stolen individuals. The lyrics "stolen from an African land, chased out with a knife, with a face like Bob Marley and a mouth like a motorbike" paint a vivid picture of the brutality of this period in history.
However, the song seems to suggest that despite the hardships faced, there is still a sense of resilience and self-expression found through music. The lyrics "the bars are always open and the time is always right, and if God's good word goes unspoken, the music goes all night" imply that even if one is in a difficult situation, music can provide a sense of liberation and community.
The rest of the lyrics seem to continue along this theme of music as a form of escape and elation. The lines "On the beach on blanket mommy I am the one, buddy bye good lovin' give me lots of good fun" suggest a relaxed atmosphere where people can find happiness and connection. The verses also reference the use of drugs and alcohol, with lines like "lifetime it's free, anytime just call me" implying the accessibility and potential danger of such substances.
Overall, Don't Push is a song that acknowledges the hardships faced by marginalized groups, but also celebrates the communal joy found through music and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Stolen from an African land
Taken away forcibly from a continent with a rich cultural heritage
Chased out with a knife
Forced out using violence and intimidation
With a face like Bob Marley
With a striking resemblance to the famous reggae icon
And a mouth like a motorbike
With a loud and boisterous way of speaking
Oh well the bars are always open
There is no shortage of drinking and partying opportunities
And the time is always right
There is never a bad time to indulge in vices
And if God's good word goes unspoken
Even if religious teachings are not heeded
The music goes all night
The party never stops
On the beach on blanket mommy I am the one
Relaxing on a beach blanket with my loved one
Buddy bye good lovin' give me lots of good fun
Let's enjoy each other's company and have a great time
Buddy bye on beach break it and all night long
Let's party on the beach all night long
They kickin' on the court listenin' to the reggae song
People are playing basketball while enjoying reggae music
Me say a beach blanket wicked and wild
The beach is full of excitement and adventure
My beach blanket she's such a nature's child
The beach is a natural and beautiful place
Stolen a shotgun you know what I'd do
If I had a shotgun that was stolen from me
I'd point it straight up at the sky
I would use it to show my frustration towards the heavens
And shoot heaven on down for you
I would bring down something miraculous just for you
Me do not want no lover me don't want no lover hey hey
I am not interested in a romantic partner
Me don't want no lover me don't want no lover springtime
I am not interested in a romantic relationship even in the springtime
Here no lover me don't want no lover hey
I really don't want a romantic partner
Me don't want no lover me don't want no lover hey
I am not interested in a romantic relationship
Second street where it's at
The center of activity is on Second Street
Walkin' downtown you're strapped with a gat ey
Carrying a gun while walking around downtown
Lifetime it's free
This experience is something to be enjoyed as much as possible
Anytime just call me
I am always available to have fun
438-4836
Contact me at this phone number
This a kind of number make you get your kicks
This is the kind of number that will provide you with lots of entertainment
Buddy bye I love love love love love
Goodbye for now, I love you very much
No no no no no no no no no
Don't go, don't leave me
There’s a steel train
A powerful and dangerous force is coming
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL, MARSHALL GOODMAN, ERIC WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelkozma5929
the Boss DJ himself flowing like Niagra Falls. I'll never forget the first time I heard "Don't Push" on 40 oz.
Brad was on another level in the 1990s.. Eric's bass and Bud's kick drum is God tier level on this track.
@BrownBear636
Actually that might be Ras MGs kick drum. He definitely helped make the track and held it down on the drums while bud was away. "Listen Yellow lover hit em right on time, we got Cricket with the quickness and the baseline" Yellow lover is Marshall Goodman and Cricket is Eric.
@thedivineenergy
The groove and riffs of this jam gets me deep down in my soul, just like the first time I heard it!! 💜
@savvyskullz
it’s the same ☠️
@49skate
This song just got the true sublime spirit.
@UndersackitchFungalbollock
@@49skate This and 40 OZ
@homer9868
Agree to all of this. Can we date?
@TheLovelySheri
What a sublime day for Sublime 😍
@demonrozemusic
I'll listen to this song for as long as I can hear... Love you Bradley! Love you Sublime<3
@LaLa2point0
Same.